Louis Riel

Louis Riel, a leader of his people in their resistance against the
Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest, is perhaps the most
controversial figure in Canadian historiography. His life and deeds
have spawned a massive and diverse literature.

He was born in the Red River Settlement (in what is now Manitoba) in
1844. A promising student, he was sent to Montreal to train for the
priesthood, but he never graduated. An attempt at training as a
lawyer ended similarly, and by 1868 Riel was back in the Red River
area. Ambitious, well educated and bilingual, Riel quickly emerged
as a leader among the Métis of the Red River. In 1869-1870 he
headed a provisional government, which would eventually negotiate the
Manitoba Act with the Canadian government. The Act established
Manitoba as a province and provided some protection for French
language rights.

Riel's leadership in the agitation, especially his decision to
execute a Canadian named Thomas Scott, enraged anti-Catholic and
anti-French sentiment in Ontario. Although chosen for a seat in the
House of Commons on three occasions, he was unable to take his seat
in the house. In 1875, Riel's role in the death of Scott resulted in
his exile from Canada. These years in exile would include stays in
two Quebec asylums and the growing belief in Riel that he had a
religious mission to lead the Métis people of the Canadian
northwest.

In 1884, while teaching in Montana at a Jesuit mission, Riel was
asked by a delegation from the community of Métis from the
south branch of the Saskatchewan river to present their grievances to
the Canadian government. Despite Riel's assistance, the federal
government ignored Métis concerns. By March of 1885,
Métis patience was exhausted and a provisional government was
declared.

Riel was the undisputed spiritual and political head of the short-lived
1885 Rebellion. He never carried arms and hindered the work of his
military head, Gabriel Dumont. Riel was increasingly influenced by
his belief that he was chosen to lead the Métis people. On May
15, shortly after the fall of Batoche, Riel surrendered to Canadian
forces and was taken to Regina to stand trial for treason.

At his trial, Riel gave two long speeches which demonstrated his
powerful rhetorical abilities. He personally rejected attempts by
his defence counsel to prove he was not guilty by reason of insanity.
On 1 August 1885, a jury of six English-speaking Protestants found
Riel guilty but recommended mercy. Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced
him to death. Attempted appeals were dismissed and a special
re-examination of Riel's mental state by government appointed doctors
found him sane. He was hanged in Regina on 16 November, 1885. His
execution was widely opposed in Quebec and had lasting political
ramifications.